# A Thread for the Mueller Investigation Results and Outcomes (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 28, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093 "2017-10-28T20:14:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 129
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2562 "2018-02-17T02:53:58Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > But there will be more indictments, and we’ll see if Trump’s campaign officials remain unwitting… Ooh, maybe we can get them to turn on each other. And the ones to sing first get put in the **Witless Protection Program**. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2563 "2018-02-17T03:02:30Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Yer killin’ me. 😃 I like it! > > This is interesting, to see which way the dominoes are falling: > > [Reactions to Russian Indictments](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-reactions-factbox/reactions-to-russian-indictments-in-2016-u-s-election-meddling-probe-idUSKCN1G02BI?il=0) (Reuters) From that Reuters link: > [@](#): > > “We have known that Russians meddled in the election, but these indictments detail the extent of the subterfuge. These Russians engaged in a sinister and systematic attack on our political system. It was a conspiracy to subvert the process, and take aim at democracy itself. Today’s announcement underscores why we need to follow the facts and work to protect the integrity of future elections.” > > - House Speaker Paul Ryan in a statement Does this remind anyone else of these lines from _Casablanca_: > [@](#): > > Captain Renault (to Rick): I’m shocked, \*shocked \*to find that gambling is going on in here! _[a croupier hands Renault a pile of money]_ > > Croupier: Your winnings, sir. > > Captain Renault: _[sotto voce]_ Oh, thank you very much. > > … ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2564 "2018-02-17T03:08:37Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Ooh, maybe we can get them to turn on each other. And the ones to sing first get put in the **Witless Protection Program**. Someone should probably tell them they’re already in it. Along with most of their remaining supporters. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > From that Reuters link: Does this remind anyone else of these lines from _Casablanca_: LOL, that one jumped out at me, too. I hear Ryan’s just marking time till the end of the year, when there awaits him a career with a big fat salary heading up the Heritage Foundation for the Kochs. 'Scooz me while I go swallow my gorge. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2565 "2018-02-17T03:40:40Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Yer killin’ me. 😃 I like it! > > This is interesting, to see which way the dominoes are falling: > > [Reactions to Russian Indictments](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-reactions-factbox/reactions-to-russian-indictments-in-2016-u-s-election-meddling-probe-idUSKCN1G02BI?il=0) (Reuters) > [@](#): > > - Republican Representative Devin Nunes in a statement > > “I‘m glad the administration is acting, based on the ongoing work of the special counsel, to hold Russia accountable. Of course it is _Acting_!!! /s [![](https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/93282525-b83a54bec4e367c46a5022c24bd67cb553d66db1fab780071f2e95b263acd300-d?f=webp "Acting school") ](https://vimeo.com/15476780) Master Thespian: “Oh! Baudelaire! You fooled me!” Baudelaire: “Acting!!” ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2566 "2018-02-17T04:03:54Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > If you don’t understand things, you can always refrain from commenting. This from the guy dropping his stupidity all over every thread relating to Mueller and his investigation? ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2567 "2018-02-17T10:41:43Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > (Earlier in that article it says that the Russians also liked Sanders - perhaps they wanted to build a connection to Sanders people.) Fascinating that the guy who literally honeymooned in the Soviet Union was supported by Putin, a KGB colonel at the time and someone who has said the fall of the USSR was a tragedy. I hope Mueller is looking into that honeymoon to see who Bernie met with. Is Sanders a real life Manchurian Candidate? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2568 "2018-02-17T10:58:30Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > “Chappaquiddick” was the “Benghazi” of it’s time, eh! More like the Juanita Broderick of its time. More than meets the eye, and more important than believed, but also entirely a case of ‘whataboutism’. You’re not off the hook for doing a bad thing if someone else did some other, different bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2569 "2018-02-17T11:21:33Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > That’s the important takeaway from these indictments, for sure. > > It’s Mueller’s way of warning Americans that this is not a hoax, this really happened, it continues to happen and our intelligence agencies have the proof of it. > > It’s an extremely detailed speaking indictment that lays out the true situation for those in this country who care to know: The things we need to watch for; the breadth and depth of the intrusion; the reality of the threat and steps we must take to beat back further interference. > > It also brings pressure to bear on Congress to start taking the threats seriously. It shows Devin Nunes for the traitorous chump he is. Congress must choose: Protect Trump, or protect the nation. > > It highlights exactly how disinterested Trump himself is in protecting anything but his own miserable hide. > > Lastly, it takes some heat off Rosenstein, Wray and the FBI. > > All in a good day’s work. 🙂 All of this makes sense. The thing that struck me was “ **these indictments mean that Trump can’t fire Mueller**.” With this level of documented evidence and formal accusation of another country acting against the US, Trump taking action against Mueller, the person overseeing that work, could not be looked at as anything other than obstruction and treason given all of Trump’s actions and statements to date. I am not trying to be cute or hyperbolic - I believe I am speaking to extremely likely consequences. With this additional leverage, Mueller can continue moving in his methodical way. Folks are discussing how slow he is moving - I disagree; I assume he is planning his timing. In terms of timing: when will Mueller start dropping the bigger bombshells? I would argue that he will target right before or immediately after the midterm elections. Going afterwards makes a lot of sense - see how many seats the Dems take over and how likely it might be that any politically-driven impeachment process might be supported in Congress. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2570 "2018-02-17T14:07:49Z")
Still no sanctions though, huh? Curious that. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2571 "2018-02-17T14:10:56Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Still no sanctions though, huh? Curious that. They’re coming. Really. [If you can’t trust Mnuchin](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/373881-mnuchin-trump-administration-actively-working-on-more-russia), who can you trust? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2572 "2018-02-17T14:12:24Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Argument A: it might get Trump to stop yammering that Russia meddling is “fake news” and “Vlad said he didn’t do it and I believe him.” Those statements now (as if there was any doubt) make Trump look stupid, naive, disingenuous or a lying traitorous pig…take your choice. > > Argument B: Today’s indictments are about the Russian social media disinformation efforts. They’re not about delivering stolen e-mail to the Trump campaign. That shoe is still waiting to drop. make Trump look stupid, naive, disingenuous or a lying traitorous pig…take your choice Let’s see… Stupid, yes. Lying, yes Traitorous, yes. Pig? I won’t insult hogs that way. They didn’t do anything. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2573 "2018-02-17T14:17:13Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > T…Congress must choose: Protect Trump, or protect the nation. They’ve already chosen. Isn’t obvious? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2574 "2018-02-17T14:18:22Z")
> [@GrandWino](#): > > No need to be really. Trump was briefed on Russian shenanigans before he took office and has denied them ever since. His tweets about this being a hoax were (obviously) lies. A lot of the shenanigans were going on in HIS building in New York. How could he NOT know. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2575 "2018-02-17T14:22:44Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Death comes at you fast. Not always, sometimes it is slow, in order to send a message to others. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2576 "2018-02-17T14:33:29Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Yer killin’ me. 😃 I like it! > > This is interesting, to see which way the dominoes are falling: > > [Reactions to Russian Indictments](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-reactions-factbox/reactions-to-russian-indictments-in-2016-u-s-election-meddling-probe-idUSKCN1G02BI?il=0) (Reuters) Heh. “What we learned was astonishing. We learned that the Russian were also organizing for Bernie Sanders. We learned that in late November 2016 they then turned their efforts to be against President Trump, that their goal was to sow discord and chaos, not to promote a certain candidate, and that no Americans were involved in this plot … Democrats deceived this country and they were caught today.” - Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany to Fox News ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2577 "2018-02-17T15:26:00Z")
Maybe Russia, but Dems are still worse, claims Gidley: > [@](#): > > "There are two groups that have created chaos more than the Russians and that’s the Democrats and the mainstream media,” Gidley said. > > “[They] continued to push this lie on the American people for more than a year, and frankly Americans should be outraged by that,” he added. -[The Hill](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/374360-white-house-spokesman-dems-media-have-created-more-chaos-than-the) ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2578 "2018-02-17T15:28:36Z")
Ah, the ‘They’re doing it too’ and ‘No, it’s them that’s doing it’ arguments, or rather, distractions. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2579 "2018-02-17T15:31:07Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > More like the Juanita Broderick of its time. More than meets the eye, and more important than believed, but also entirely a case of ‘whataboutism’. You’re not off the hook for doing a bad thing if someone else did some other, different bad thing. Investigate them BOTH. Not a problem. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2580 "2018-02-17T15:52:45Z")
Aaaaaaand it’s official - Newsflash: Russians meddled in U.S. election! Wonder how much these “Results and Outcomes” cost taxpayers? :rolleyes: Now we return to your regularly scheduled Liberal-Democrat circle jerk… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/2581 "2018-02-17T16:07:48Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > … > Wonder how much these “Results and Outcomes” cost taxpayers? :rolleyes: > > … Nowhere near as much as the election results did. But glad to hear that it is now being accepted that the interference did truly happen. Baby steps. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=128) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=130)